INTRODUCTION

Rattled by mounting signs that business activity could be losing momentum, forecasters are slashing their estimates of economic growth for the first half of this year.

The consensus forecast of 55 economists who participated in The Wall Street Journal Online's March economic-forecasting survey called for growth at an annual rate of 2% in the first quarter and 2.4% in the second. That's down from forecasts of 2.5% and 3%, respectively, in last month's survey.

When asked to name the major factor that's responsible for the economic malaise, 50% of the economists cited "war jitters." Another 19% of respondents cited rising oil prices, which are partly associated with the war jitters.

Choose from the menu at the left to dig into the data. Also, see a related article.